REPORT OF THE GOMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES. 113 
regretted that the region in question can not be entirely free from 
suspicion of having sent out polluted oysters. The situation is fully 
appreciated by the oyster dealers and the local authorities, and it is 
believed no further danger need be feared. 
Disease at Cold Spring Harbor, New York.—In May and June a 
visit was made to the Cold Spring Harbor station of the New York 
Forest, Fish and Game Commission, to examine into the cause of 
a serious mortality among yearling and adult brook trout. This 
was determined to be due to a parasite, Lymphosporidium truttx, 
described by Professor Calkins. The disease destroyed nearly all 
the older trout, and advanced, entirely unchecked by remedies. It is’ 
believed to be amenable to control as respects future outbreaks by 
cementing the ponds, by the practice of disinfection to kill all stages 
of the parasite, and by avoiding too heavy a stock of yearling and 
older trout. 
Menhaden mortality in Narragansett Bay.—In May and June an 
extensive mortality among menhaden occurred in Narragansett Bay, 
and the disease was also found at New Bedford. By the last of June 
the mortality seemed to have ceased. Prof. F. P. Gorham, of 
Brown University, investigated the disease by making cultures from 
the dying or dead menhaden, and obtained a bacterial organism in all 
eases. At the close of the fiscal year he was studying the relation of 
the organisms to the disease. 
Besides the more detailed inquiries, Mr. Marsh made special inves- 
tigations concerning diseased fish, contaminated water supply, and 
other difficulties besetting fish-cultural operations at Northville, Mich. ; 
Wytheville, Va.; Erwin, Tenn.; Allentown, Pa.; and Nashua, N. H. 
During the spring of 1904 an exhibit of bacterial organisms patho- 
genic to fishes and of others related to the fisheries was prepared for 
display at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition. 
WOODS HOLE LABORATORY (DR. F. B. SUMNER, DIRECTOR). 
The laboratory of the Bureau at Woods Hole, Mass., was thrown 
open on the 16th of June, 1903, for the nineteenth summer since the 
establishment of its present quarters, and scientific work was in prog- 
ress until the end of September. The work accomplished during the 
season is summarized below, together with especial mention of certain 
important lines of work which were planned and commenced. 
Equipment.—In addition to the large laboratory room with 9 tables, 
there were 14 private rooms at the disposal of investigators, all of 
which are provided with gas and electricity, and otherwise equipped 
for research. To this must be added the library, supply room, and 
aquarium, as well as the main hatching room, which, as usual, was 
available for laboratory purposes from the end of the lobster-hatching 
F. C. 1904—8 
